John Cooper School sophomore quarterback Michael Gerber has been solid for the Dragons this year.

John Cooper School sophomore quarterback Michael Gerber has been solid for the Dragons this year.

Photo: Jerry Baker, Freelance

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John Cooper School senior defensive back Jake Seefeldt has been key for the Dragons this season.

John Cooper School senior defensive back Jake Seefeldt has been key for the Dragons this season.

Photo: Jerry Baker, Freelance

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John Cooper School senior outside receiver Hunter Cogdell (#18) pulls in a pass from quarterback Michael Gerber during the Dragon's season opener against San Antonio Cornerstone at Pugh Field in The Woodlands.

John Cooper School senior outside receiver Hunter Cogdell (#18) pulls in a pass from quarterback Michael Gerber during the Dragon's season opener against San Antonio Cornerstone at Pugh Field in The Woodlands.

Photo: Jerry Baker, Freelance

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John Cooper School head coach Brent Landrum works the sideline during the Dragon's season opener versus San Antonio cornerstone at Pugh Field in The Woodlands.

John Cooper School head coach Brent Landrum works the sideline during the Dragon's season opener versus San Antonio cornerstone at Pugh Field in The Woodlands.

Photo: Jerry Baker, Freelance

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John Cooper head coach Brent Landrum

John Cooper head coach Brent Landrum

Photo: Jerry Baker, Freelance

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Winning season in reach for John Cooper School

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The John Cooper School concludes its first season playing primarily a varsity schedule this weekend.

The Dragon are 5-4, including 3-0 against junior varsity teams from Kinkaid, Episcopal and St. John's, and 2-4 against varsity teams, with wins against the Northside homeschool team and Rosehill Christian.

Cooper is still an independent Southwest Preparatory Conference school, so it isn't eligible for the postseason. It concludes the season with senior night at 7 p.m. Friday at home against The Village School.

"I'm happy with the progress and I'm happy with how well the boys have played," coach Brent Landrum said.

"We had two games where we had leads. We had a 20-0 lead this past Friday, and we lost 23-20 (to San Antonio St. Mary's Hall), and we had a 15-0 lead our first game of the year vs. a varsity team, and we lost 22-15 (to San Antonio Cornerstone).

"So, at the end of the year, I'm going to be looking back at what could have been. But to be in that situation (was a positive). In our three varsity games last year we scored a total of 12 points."

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What: John Cooper School (5-4) vs. The Village School (3-4)

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1

Where: The John Cooper School

Cooper was shut out only once in a varsity game, and that one was canceled because of lightning early in the third quarter. It trailed Austin St. Stephen's 15-0 when the contest was called.

When Cooper won against varsity competition, it won big, topping Northside 48-0 for its first varsity win and Rosehill 48-7.

"Those allowed our kids to realize they could play on the varsity level and compete, and really and truly we have," Landrum said.

"Our kids don't have those big, bright eyes anymore. They realize what it takes and they're prepared every game and they go out and give me the best they can give me."

The Dragons lost 28-12 to Rosehill last year in their first varsity game, surrendering 21 points on defensive and special-teams scores. This time, sophomore quarterback Michael Gerber supplied six touchdowns (five passing) and wide receiver Sam Hodges hauled in two touchdown passes.

Landrum said he's looking for another physical effort, something they've improved at during the course of the season.

"I want to see continued improvement, I want to see continued effort, and mainly I want to see these seniors go out with a bang, and try to get them a win," he said.

Cooper is making strides, but it will lose 15 seniors to graduation this summer.

"Next year could still be a little more building, but this year has been a huge plus in terms of experience and making us a viable football program," Landrum said.

The Dragons will play their first full 10-game varsity schedule next season. There are only six players in the current junior class, but Landrum expects a large incoming freshman class to bolster their numbers.